Echinococcus multilocularis Detected in West Coast Wildlife for First Time

Researchers from the University of Washington have identified the parasitic tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, commonly referred to as the 'fox tapeworm', in wildlife on the West Coast. The study, published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, found the tapeworm in 37 out of 100 coyotes sampled near Puget Sound in Washington State. While the presence of the parasite in wildlife is concerning, researchers emphasized that the risk of human infection remains low. Lead author Yasmine Hentati noted that coyotes are frequently infected due to their diet of raw rodents, which is the primary transmission route. The genetic analysis revealed that the coyotes carry a more infectious European variant of the tapeworm, which has been spreading across North America over the past 15 years. Prior to the 2010s, the tapeworm was rare in North America, with cases mostly limited to remote areas in Alaska. Dr. Linda Yancey, an infectious disease specialist, stated that while cases have been reported in Eastern Europe, human infections in the U.S. are still uncommon. Most cases of echinococcosis occur in individuals who have traveled to or immigrated from regions such as Central and East Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. The tapeworm is transmitted among wild canids, including foxes and rodents, and humans can become infected through contact with contaminated soil or food. Symptoms of the infection can remain undetected for years, and the condition can lead to serious health complications if not treated. Experts recommend good hand hygiene and avoiding contact with wild animals to reduce the risk of infection.